Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The tiny islets of Mahaba, Calituban, Banacon, Tahong-tahong and Bubuajan are in the Camotes Sea, a few kilometres off the north coast of Bohol, across the Bohol Strait from Olango Island (PH069). There are intertidal mudflats and tidal lagoons around the islands, and large areas of mangroves that were recently reported to be in good condition. The main economic activity in this area is fishing.
The concentration of 635 Chinese Egrets in this IBA in 1991 represented c.25% of the estimated global population of this threatened species. There is presumably some interchange of birds of this species between this IBA and nearby Olango Island (PH069) and Mactan, Kalawisan and Cansaga Bays (PH070). Together, these three IBAs support what is probably the most important non-breeding population of this species in the world. However, it is likely that some of the other islands around the Camotes Sea and Bohol Strait also have important feeding and roosting areas for Chinese Egrets, and these also need to be protected. This IBA is likely to support non-breeding concentrations of some other waterbirds.
The tiny islets of Mahaba, Calituban, Banacon, Tahong-tahong and Bubuajan are in the Camotes Sea, a few kilometres off the north coast of Bohol, across the Bohol Strait from Olango Island (PH069). There are intertidal mudflats and tidal lagoons around the islands, and large areas of mangroves that were recently reported to be in good condition. The main economic activity in this area is fishing.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The intertidal flats around Calituban and Tahong-tahong Islands are the site of a 200 ha mangrove reforestation project.
There is a need to investigate the movements and ecological requirements of the important non-breeding population of Chinese Egrets around the Camotes Sea and Bohol Strait, and develop a strategy for its conservation.
Not officially protected.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Calituban and Tahong-tahong Islands (Talibon group) (Philippines). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/calituban-and-tahong-tahong-islands-(talibon-group)-iba-philippines on 23/11/2024.
